The DGU Seniors Team travelled down to the Gower Peninsular to take on the experienced Dyfed Team at Ashburnham GC, who have hosted many golf tournaments in the past.
The weather looked damp to start, but gradually developed into a glorious Summer's Day.
The DGU Team, captained by Martin Jones, put out a strong team boasting the current County Seniors Champion, Mike Shaw; the current Welsh Inter-Counties Championship Best Gross Winner, Steve Merrill and Runner-up Phil Guest; our County President, George Smith; veteran Denbighshire stalwart, Arthur Jones; Narwhal veteran, Alan Merrill; along with the experience of Karl 'Mucker' Livingstone, supporting debutants Ian Davies and Dewi Sides.
The morning Greensomes was a tight affair 2.5/2.5 Pts each, with George Smith & Phil Guest narrowly winning 1up, Steve Merrill & Arthur managing a half and Captain Martin Jones & Debutant Dewi Sides securing the morning's shares with an excellent 2 up win against Dyfed's Captain Huw Dixon & Ed Wheeler, both Ashburnham members.
The afternoon matches are where it really matters the most, with double points available.
Our other Debutant Ian Davies led off the afternoon matches partnered by Karl Livingstone. Ian's nervous thin to the opening Par 3, running up to within a foot of the pin, set Ian off on a march and, with only 3 shots dropped, Ian and Karl won handsomely 4&2. The following three matches all went down to the last hole with Phil & Arthur, The Merrill Brothers, Steve & Alan and Martin & George all winning 1 up. Some of the evergreen DGU golfers just seem to be getting better as they get older......!
The last match's result was not critical, as Mike & Dewi faced a force of nature from Ed Wheeler, intent on revenging the morning's loss, and Dai Nicholas who won both of his matches for Dyfed.
The afternoon result was Dyfed 2 DGU 8.
We received excellent hospitality from the Dyfed Team, the food all day was excellent and Huw Dixon was very gracious in defeat as he congratulated the DGU Team on a fine away win.
It was left to Martin Jones to thank Ashburnham GC for their hospitality in allowing us the use of the course, which we all thoroughly enjoyed, the chef who had provided for our needs on Sunday evening and all day Monday, the bar staff likewise and to the Dyfed Team who we know were after a scalp, but will have to wait again until next year when they return up North.
As DGU's outstanding performer on the day, Ian Davies will receive a DGU Golf Cap - Congratulations Ian.
The S.Wales Seniors Championship is held in Ashburnham on 14th & 15th July and all competitors will be in for a treat.
The DGU Team left Ashburnham very happy, but we're unaware of the challenges ahead, where the A483 was completely closed off and this led to a lost 40 mins in what can only be described as 'Narnia' before we resurfaced in Brecon, to finally head North again.
A long, long day, but very worth while and an excellent golfing result for the DGU.
We have the N. Wales Inter-Counties Seniors Championship at Abergele GC on Sunday 28th July, so get your names down for that please.
Additionally, in August we have matches against Shropshire & Hereford (a) and Brecon & Radnorshire (h).
The Welsh Inter-Counties Championship is held at Swansea Bay this September followed by home & away fixtures against Flintshire to round the season off.
These fixtures are definitely strengthening both the competitiveness and reputation of Denbighshire Seniors golf, it is good to see the squad expanding which can only bode well for the future.
Martin Jones
DGU Senior Team Manager
Denbighshire Seniors Scratch Team Report for 2023
05/10/23 - Denbighshire v Flintshire @ Wrexham GC
On Thursday 5th October, the DGU Seniors hosted their Flintshire counterparts, captained by Karl Lurz.
Trailing 8-7 from July's encounter at Mold GC, the Welsh Inter-Counties Runners-up for 2023 set off strong with Phil Guest & Mark Garner (W3&2) and Karl Griffith's & Stu Fisher (W5&4) securing four points.
Flintshire hit back with Kevin Jones and Medwyn Jones beating Ray Ledsham and an under the weather Allan Merrill leaving the match finely poised.
Veterans Arthur Jones and President George Smith secured a vital half which made the aggregate score 12-11 with one match left.
Having been beaten at Mold GC, Steve Merrill & Team Captain Martin Jones were determined not to let it slip again. All square at the turn, both sides birdied twice for wins on the back nine, with one hole to go, Steve secured a half with a four, Karl matched it, with Martin leaving it alongside the hole to complete the match as a well deserved half for both pairs.
Overall Denbighshire won 13-12 and Karl presented Martin and the Denbighshire Team with a miniature Miners Lamp, which has historical themes for both counties, to be held for 12 months and hopefully this will start a long standing fixture between both counties at Senior Level.
Captain Karl Lurz thanked Wrexham GC for hosting the match, the condition of the course, despite the wet weather of late and the fabulous Chicken Dinner from Julia's Catering.
We all look forward to next year's fixture.
For 2023 that leaves Denbighshire Seniors unbeaten against Dyfed, Shropshire & Hereford, Brecon & Radnor and now Flintshire.
We all look forward to 2024 where Caernarvon are set to enter the fray, such is the interest developing in North Wales in Seniors Golf.
Martin Jones
Denbighshire County Seniors Scratch Team Manager
